Shielded conductive path and shielding pipe

ABSTRACT

A shielded conductive path, including: a cylindrical shielding pipe that is in a state in which two semi-cylindrical members made of a metal material are joined together, and that is provided with a bend at a portion located in an axial direction; an electrical wire housed in the shielding pipe; a first weld that is provided only in a partial region of the shielding pipe that includes at least the bend in the axial direction, the first weld liquid-tightly joining the two semi-cylindrical members; and a second weld that is provided in all regions of the shielding pipe other than the first weld in the axial direction, the second weld liquid-tightly joining the two semi-cylindrical members, wherein a joining range of the second weld in a radial direction is narrower than a joining range of the first weld in the radial direction.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a shielded conductive path and ashielding pipe.

JP 2004-171952A discloses a conductive path that is provided with ashield function and is installed under the floor of a vehicle body. Thisshielded conductive path is provided with a shielding pipe made ofmetal, and a plurality of electrical wires inserted into the shieldingpipe. Because the shielding pipe is installed between a position near aninverter apparatus provided in an engine room and a position near abattery disposed in a rear end portion of the vehicle body, theshielding pipe has an entire length of about 3 to 4 m. Thus, when anelectrical wire is inserted into the shielding pipe, the electrical wirebuckles and frictional resistance occurs between the electrical wire andan inner circumferential surface of the shielding pipe, resulting inpoor workability.

SUMMARY

As a means for resolving the above-described workability issues, amethod is conceivable in which the shielding pipe is in a state in whichtwo semi-cylindrical members resulting from the shielding pipe beingdivided in a radial direction are joined together, an electrical wire isplaced on one of the semi-cylindrical members, the other semicircularcylindrical member is placed thereon from an upper side and joinedtogether, and the joined state thereof is achieved through welding.According to this method, before the members are joined, electrical wirehousing spaces of the semi-cylindrical members are open over the entirelength of the shielding pipe, and thus an insertion operation is notrequired. However, there is a problem in that the process for weldinglong semi-cylindrical members takes time, whereas there is an advantagein that an insertion operation is not required.

An exemplary aspect of the disclosure aims to reduce the time needed formanufacturing a shielded conductive path.

A shielded conductive path according to a first aspect includes: acylindrical shielding pipe that is in a state in which twosemi-cylindrical members made of a metal material are joined together,and that is provided with a bend at a portion located in an axialdirection; an electrical wire housed in the shielding pipe; a first weldthat is provided only in a partial region of the shielding pipe thatincludes at least the bend in the axial direction, the first weldliquid-tightly joining the two semi-cylindrical members; and a secondweld that is provided in all regions of the shielding pipe other thanthe first weld in the axial direction, the second weld liquid-tightlyjoining the two semi-cylindrical members, in which a joining range ofthe second weld in a radial direction is narrower than a joining rangeof the first weld in the radial direction.

A shielding pipe according to a second aspect includes: twosemi-cylindrical members made of a metal material; a cylindrical pipemain body that is in a state in which the two semi-cylindrical membersare joined together, whose inner portion serves as an electrical wirehousing space for housing an electrical wire, and that is provided witha bend at a portion located in an axial direction, a first weld that isprovided only in a partial region of the pipe main body that includes atleast the bend in the axial direction, the first weld liquid-tightlyjoining the two semi-cylindrical members; and a second weld that isprovided in all regions of the pipe main body other than the first weldin the axial direction, the second weld liquid-tightly joining the twosemi-cylindrical members, in which a joining range of the second weld ina radial direction is narrower than a joining range of the first weld inthe radial direction.

According to the first and second aspects, because the twosemi-cylindrical members are liquid-tightly joined by the first weld andthe second weld over the entire length thereof, water is prevented fromentering from a joined portion of the two semi-cylindrical members.Also, because the joining range of the second weld in the radialdirection is narrower than that of the first weld, the time required forwelding can be reduced. Thus, the shielded conductive path according tothe first aspect can be manufactured in short time. Also, the shieldingpipe according to the second aspect makes it possible to reduce the timeneeded for manufacturing a shielded conductive path configured with anelectrical wire housed in the pipe main body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the layout of a shieldedconductive path of Embodiment 1.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a shielding pipe.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the shielded conductive path.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing one example of a bending-processingportion.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the bending-processing portion shown in FIG.4.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a process for bending thebending-processing portion shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another example of abending-processing portion.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the bending-processing portion shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a process for bending thebending-processing portion shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a first welding portion.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a second welding portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the first and second aspects, the joining range of the first weldingportion in the radial direction may include outer circumferentialsurfaces of the semi-cylindrical members. With this configuration, inthe first welding portion, no gap having a groove shape appears at theseam on outer peripheries of the two semi-cylindrical members, and thusit is possible to prevent water from remaining in the outer peripheriesof the two semi-cylindrical members.

In the first and second aspects, the joining range of the first weldingportion in the radial direction may be the entire region extending fromouter peripheries of the semi-cylindrical members to inner peripheriesthereof. With this configuration, it is possible to ensure the maximumbonding strength in the first welding portion.

In the first and second aspects, the joining range of the second weldingportion in the radial direction may include outer circumferentialsurfaces of the semi-cylindrical members. With this configuration, inthe second welding portion, no gap having a groove shape appears at theseam on outer peripheries of the two semi-cylindrical members, and thusit is possible to prevent water from remaining in the outer peripheriesof the two semi-cylindrical members.

With the first aspect, a leading end side linear portion of theshielding pipe that is adjacent to a leading end side of thebending-processing portion in the axial direction may be joined by thefirst welding portion. Unlike this embodiment, if the leading end sidelinear portion is joined by the second welding portion, there is aconcern that when a bending-processing portion is formed by sliding abending jig against the outer periphery of a pre-processing linearregion from the base end side to the leading end side in a pressedstate, on the leading end side with respect to the bending-processingportion, the second welding portion will break, the two semi-cylindricalmembers will positionally shift relative to each other in the axialdirection, and cracks will occur in the semi-cylindrical members. Inview of this point, the leading end side linear portion is joined by thefirst welding portion in this embodiment. Accordingly, it is possible toprevent the two semi-cylindrical members from positionally shiftingrelative to each other in the axial direction and to prevent cracks fromoccurring in the semi-cylindrical members, on the leading end side withrespect to the bending-processing portion.

With the first aspect, a base end side linear portion of the shieldingpipe that is adjacent to a base end side of the bending-processingportion in the axial direction may be joined by the first weldingportion. Unlike this embodiment, if the base end side linear portion isjoined by the second welding portion, there is a concern that when abending-processing portion is formed by sliding a bending jig againstthe outer periphery of the pre-processing linear region from the basedend side to the leading end side in a pressed state, without fixing thebase end side with respect to the pre-processing linear region of theshielding pipe that is to be the bending-processing portion, the secondwelding portion will break on the base end side with respect to thebending-processing portion, and the two semi-cylindrical members willseparate from each other in the radial direction. In view of this point,the base end side linear portion is joined by the first welding portionin this embodiment. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent separation ofthe two semi-cylindrical members in the radial direction on the base endside with respect to the bending-processing portion.

With the first aspect, the first welding portion may include a bendingportion welding region where the bending-processing portion is joined, aleading end side welding region where the leading end side linearportion is joined, and a base end side welding region where the base endside linear portion is joined, and the length of the leading end sidewelding region may be set larger than that of the base end side weldingregion. While the bending jig that is slid against the pre-processinglinear region to be a bending-processing portion in a pressed statemoves from a base end of the pre-processing linear region to a leadingend thereof, a force that makes the two semi-cylindrical membersdisplace relative to each other in the axial direction, and a force thatforms cracks in the semi-cylindrical members are constantly applied tothe leading end side welding region. Thus, providing the leading endside welding region long in the axial direction makes it possible toeffectively prevent cracking and relative displacement of thesemi-cylindrical members in the axial direction.

Also, in a process for forming a bending-processing portion by slidingthe bending jig against the pre-processing linear region in a pressedstate, a force applied from the bending jig to the base end side weldingregion decreases as the bending jig moves away from a base end of thepre-processing linear region (the base end side welding region). Thus,even if the length of the base end side welding region in the axialdirection is reduced, it is possible to effectively prevent separationof the two semi-cylindrical members in the radial direction. Theabove-described configuration makes it possible to keep the length ofthe base end side welding region to the shortest necessary length, andthus to more effectively reduce the time needed for manufacturing ashielded conductive path.

Embodiment 1

The following describes Embodiment 1 embodying the present disclosurewith reference to FIGS. 1 to 11. Note that in the following description,with regard to the front-rear direction, the left side in FIGS. 1, 2,and 4 to 11 is defined as a front side. With regard to the up-downdirection, the orientation shown in FIGS. 5, and 7 to 11 is directlydefined as up and down.

Shielded Conductive Path 10

As shown in FIG. 1, a shielded conductive path 10 of Embodiment 1 isinstalled in a vehicle provided with a motor (not shown) as a drivingsource, such as a hybrid car. The shielded conductive path 10conductively connects a device 41 such as a high-voltage battery 40provided in a rear portion of a body 40, and a device 42 such as aninverter or a fuse block provided in a front portion of the body 40, forexample. The shielded conductive path 10 includes a plurality (two inthe case of Embodiment 1) of electrical wires 11, one shielding pipe 14,and two flexible shielding members 30.

As shown in FIG. 3, the electrical wires 11 are each an electrical wireof a non-shielded type obtained as a result of a conductor 12 beingenclosed by an insulating coating 13 made of a synthetic resin. Theconductor 12 is constituted by a twisted wire obtained by twistingtogether thin metal wires made of copper, aluminum, or the like, andthus the electrical wires 11 have flexibility. Terminal fittings (notshown) are connected to front and rear end portions of each electricalwire 11. The terminal fitting connected to the front end portion of theelectrical wire 11 is connected to the device 42 via a connector (notshown). The terminal fitting connected to the rear end portion of theelectrical wire 11 is connected to the device 41 via a connector (notshown).

The shielding pipe 14 is made of a metal material (iron, aluminum,copper, stainless steel, or the like), and has a shielding function. Theshielding pipe 14 is long (e.g., about 3 to 4 m), and has a shapeholding property of maintaining a predetermined shape due to therigidity of the shielding pipe 14. Accordingly, the shielding pipe 14 isinstalled under the floor of the body 40. The cross-sectional shape ofthe shielding pipe 14 is substantially circular over the entire lengththereof.

Portions of a plurality of electrical wires 11 that are led out from thefront end of the shielding pipe 14 in the length direction to theoutside are collectively enclosed by the shielding member 30. Portionsof the plurality of electrical wires 11 that are led out from the rearend of the shielding pipe 14 in the length direction to the outside arealso collectively enclosed by the shielding member 30. The shieldingmember 30 is formed by a braided wire formed by weaving conductive thinmetal wires (copper or the like) into a mesh and forming the woven metalwire into a tubular shape, a metal foil formed into a tubular shape, orthe like, and similarly to the electrical wires 11, the shielding member30 has flexibility.

The rear end portion of the front shielding member 30 is conductivelyfixed to the front end portion of the shielding pipe 14 through crimpingor the like. The front end portion of the front shielding member 30 isconductively connected to a shield shell (not shown) of the front device42. The front end portion of the rear shielding member 30 isconductively fixed to the rear end portion of the shielding pipe 14through crimping or the like. The rear end portion of the rear shieldingmember 30 is conductively connected to a shield shell (not shown) of therear device 41.

Shielding Pipe 14

Next, the shielding pipe 14 will be described in detail. The shieldingpipe 14 is provided with a pipe main body 15, a plurality of firstwelding portions 24 (first welds), and a plurality of second weldingportions 31 (second welds). The pipe main body 15 is in a state in whicha linear first semi-cylindrical member 16A (a semi-cylindrical member)and a linear second semi-cylindrical member 16B (a semi-cylindricalmember) that are formed through extrusion are joined together in theradial direction thereof. The first semi-cylindrical member 16A isprovided with overhanging portions 17 whose both edge portions in thecircumferential direction radially protrude toward an inner side, andribs 18 that protrude from the overhanging portions 17 in thecircumferential direction and are continuous over the entire length ofthe first semi-cylindrical member 16A.

When the plurality of electrical wires 11 are housed in the shieldingpipe 14 (the pipe main body 15), two electrical wires 11 are housed inan upper facing housing space 19 of the first semi-cylindrical member16A, and the first semi-cylindrical member 16A is covered with thesecond semi-cylindrical member 16B from an upper side thereof and isjoined thereto. The housing space 19 of the first semi-cylindricalmember 16A is open over the entire length of the shielding pipe 14before the members are joined, and thus an operation for inserting theelectrical wires 11 is not required.

In a state in which the first semi-cylindrical member 16A and the secondsemi-cylindrical member 16B are joined together, joining surfaces 20 ofthe semi-cylindrical members 16A and 16B at both ends thereof in thecircumferential direction abut against each other in a surface contactstate, and the two ribs 18 of the first semi-cylindrical member 16A arelocked to the inner circumferential surface of the secondsemi-cylindrical member 16B. As a result of the ribs 18 being locked tothe second semi-cylindrical member 16B, the semi-cylindrical members 16Aand 16B are positioned in a state in which a relative displacement inthe radial direction along the joining surfaces 20 is restricted.

A plurality of portions of the shielding pipe 14 (the pipe main body 15)that are spaced away from each other in the axial direction are regionswhose axes are curved, and the regions with a curved axis arerespectively defined as bending-processing portions 21, 21A, and 21B(bend). The bending-processing portions 21, 21A, and 21B are formed byperforming processing for three-dimensionally bending portions of thepipe main body 15 such that the axes thereof are curved. As shown inFIGS. 5, 6, 8, and 9, linear regions of the pipe main body 15 (theshielding pipe 14) that are adjacent to the base end side (the rear endside) of the pipe main body 15 with respect to the bending-processingportions 21, 21A, and 21B are defined as base end side linear portions22. Linear regions of the pipe main body 15 (the shielding pipe 14) thatare adjacent to the leading end side (the front end side) of the pipemain body 15 with respect to the bending-processing portions 21, 21A,and 21B are defined as leading end side linear portions 23.

First Welding Portion 24 and Second Welding Portion 31

The semi-cylindrical members 16A and 16B (the pipe main body 15) thatare joined together are liquid-tightly joined (fixed) to each other in ajoined state through laser welding at the joining surfaces 20 thereof.Portions of the pipe main body 15 that are subjected to laser weldingserve as the first welding portion 24 or the second welding portion 31.There is a concern that in bending processing, the semi-cylindricalmembers 16A and 16B will improperly deform or break due to stressoccurring in the bending-processing portions 21, 21A, 21B, and 21C.Thus, the bending-processing portions 21, 21A, 21B, and 21C need to havehigh bonding strength.

However, if attempts are made to increase the bonding strength of thelong semi-cylindrical members 16A and 16B over the entire lengththereof, it takes a long time to weld. In view of this, regions thatneed to have high bonding strength are welded by the first weldingportions 24 whose time required for welding is relatively long, andregions that need not have high bonding strength are joined by thesecond welding portions 31 whose time required for welding is relativelyshort. The shielding pipe 14 is continuously and liquid-tightly joinedover the entire length by the plurality of first welding portions 24,and the plurality of second welding portions 31.

The first welding portions 24 and the second welding portions 31 are alljoint portions formed through laser welding. In laser welding, outercircumferential surfaces of the semi-cylindrical members 16A and 16B areirradiated with laser light in a state in which the joining surfaces 20of the semi-cylindrical members 16A and 16B are in tight contact witheach other such that there is almost no gap, to melt portions of thejoining surfaces 20 of the semi-cylindrical members 16A and 16B andliquid-tightly adhere the joining surfaces 20 to each other.

As shown in FIG. 10, in a first welding portion 24, the semi-cylindricalmembers 16A and 16B are joined over all the regions of thesemi-cylindrical members 16A and 16B in the radial direction (that is,the entire range extending from the outer circumferential surfaces ofthe semi-cylindrical members 16A and 16B to the inner circumferentialsurfaces thereof). That is, the first welding portion 24 is a portionwhere full penetration welding has been performed from the outercircumferential surface to the inner circumferential surface of theshielding pipe 14. A portion joined by the first welding portion 24 hashigh bonding strength because the joining area (that is, a joining rangein the radial direction) of this portion is wide, although it takes timeto weld. The first welding portions 24 only weld partial regions (thebending-processing portions 21, 21A, and 21B, the base end side linearportions 22, and the leading end side linear portions 23) of thesemi-cylindrical members 16A and 16B that include at least thebending-processing portions 21, 21A, and 21B in the axial direction.

As shown in FIG. 11, in a second welding portion 31, only partialregions of the semi-cylindrical members 16A and 16B in the radialdirection (that is, a range from the outer circumferential surfaces ofthe semi-cylindrical members 16A and 16B to positions located on theouter circumferential side with respect to the inner circumferentialsurfaces thereof) are joined. That is, the second welding portion 31 isa portion where partial welding by which welding does not reach theinner circumferential surface of the shielding pipe 14 has beenperformed. Because the joining area (that is, a joining range in theradial direction) of a portion joined by the second welding portion 31is narrower than that of the first welding portion 24, the time requiredfor welding is shorter than that for the first welding portion 24,although the bonding strength of the portion joined by the secondwelding portion 31 is lower than a portion joined by the first weldingportion 24. The second welding portion 31 joins all the regions of thesemi-cylindrical members 16A and 16B that are not welded by the firstwelding portions 24 in the axial direction.

One first welding portion 24 is constituted by a bending portion weldingregion 25, a base end side welding region 26, and a leading end sidewelding region 27, and these three welding regions 25, 26, and 27 arecontinuously connected to each other in the axial direction of the pipemain body 15. The bending portion welding regions 25 weld the sameregions of the semi-cylindrical members 16A and 16B as thebending-processing portions 21, 21A, and 21B in the axial direction. Thebase end side welding regions 26 weld the same regions of thesemi-cylindrical members 16A and 16B as the base end side linearportions 22 in the axial direction. The leading end side welding regions27 weld the same regions of the semi-cylindrical members 16A and 16B asthe leading end side linear portions 23 in the axial direction. Also,the length of the base end side welding region 26 in the axial directionis set smaller than that of the leading end side welding region 27.

Process for Bending Shielding Pipe 14

Next, a process for bending the shielding pipe 14 will be described. Thebending-processing portion 21A shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 is formed byperforming bending processing on the pipe main body 15 on atwo-dimensional plane that is substantially parallel to the joiningsurfaces 20 of the semi-cylindrical members 16A and 16B that have notundergone bending processing. As indicated by an imaginary line in FIG.6, in a pre-bending processing state, the base end side linear portion22, the pre-processing linear region 28 that is to serve as thebending-processing portion 21A, and the leading end side linear portion23 are linearly continuous with each other.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the bending-processing portion 21A is subjectedto bending processing, the base end side linear portion 22 of theshielding pipe 14 located on the base end side with respect to thepre-processing linear region 28 that is to be the bending-processingportion 21A is not fixed by a clamp or the like, and a bending jig 29 ispressed against the base end portion (the rear end portion) of the baseend side welding region 26 located on the outer bending side. Thebending jig 29 is then slid against the first welding portion 24 (thebase end side welding region 26 and the bending portion welding region25) toward the leading end side (the front end side) of the pipe mainbody 15 while a pressing force is being applied in a radially inwarddirection of the pipe main body 15. As a result of receiving thepressing force of the bending jig 29, the pre-processing linear region28 is subjected to bending deformation and becomes thebending-processing portion 21A.

There is a concern that improper deformation or breaks called “cracks”will occur in the pre-processing linear region 28 and the leading endside linear portion 23 in the process in which the bending jig 29 isslid against the pre-processing linear region 28 while applying apressing force to the pipe main body 15. However, there is no risk that“cracks” will occur because the cylindrical shapes of the pre-processinglinear region 28 and the leading end side linear portion 23 arerespectively maintained due to the semi-cylindrical members 16A and 16Bbeing joined by the bending portion welding region 25 and the leadingend side welding region 27.

Also, the bending-processing portion 21B shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 is formedby performing bending processing on the pipe main body 15 on atwo-dimensional plane that is orthogonal to the joining surfaces 20 ofthe semi-cylindrical members 16A and 16B that have not undergone bendingprocessing and that is parallel to the axis of the pipe main body 15that has not undergone bending processing. As indicated by an imaginaryline in FIG. 9, in a pre-bending processing state, the base end sidelinear portion 22, the pre-processing linear region 28 that is to serveas the bending-processing portion 21B, and the leading end side linearportion 23 are linearly continuous with each other.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the bending-processing portion 21B is subjectedto bending processing, the base end side linear portion 22 located onthe base end side with respect to the pre-processing linear region 28 isnot fixed by a clamp or the like, and the bending jig 29 is pressedagainst the outer circumferential surface of the base end side linearportion 22. The position against which the bending jig 29 is pressed isa position at which the angle of the bending jig 29 to the base end sidewelding region 26 is 90 degrees in the circumferential direction of thepipe main body 15, and is a position corresponding to the rear endportion (the base end portion) of the base end side welding region 26 inthe axial direction of the pipe main body 15. The bending jig 29 is slidagainst the base end side linear portion 22 and the pre-processinglinear region 28 toward the leading end side (the front end side) of thepipe main body 15 while a pressing force is being applied in a radiallyinward direction of the pipe main body 15. As a result of receiving thepressing force of the bending jig 29, the pre-processing linear region28 is subjected to bending deformation and becomes thebending-processing portion 21B.

There is a concern that the semi-cylindrical members 16A and 16B willopen in the radial direction (the up-down direction in FIG. 9) in thebase end side linear portion 22 and the joining surfaces 20 willseparate from each other in the process in which the bending jig 29 isslid against the pre-processing linear region 28 while applying apressing force to the pipe main body 15. However, there is no risk thatthe joining surfaces 20 will separate from each other because thesemi-cylindrical members 16A and 16B are kept joined (a joined state) bythe base end side welding region 26 in the base end side linear portion22.

Similarly, there is a concern that improper deformation or breaks called“cracks” will occur in the pre-processing linear region 28 and theleading end side linear portion 23 of the semi-cylindrical members 16Aand 16B in the process in which the bending jig 29 is slid against thepre-processing linear region 28 while applying a pressing force to thepipe main body 15. However, there is no risk that “cracks” will occurbecause the cylindrical shapes of the pre-processing linear region 28and the leading end side linear portion 23 are respectively maintaineddue to the semi-cylindrical members 16A and 16B being joined by thebending portion welding region 25 and the leading end side weldingregion 27.

Effects of Embodiment 1

The shielded conductive path 10 of Embodiment 1 is provided with theshielding pipe 14, the electrical wires 11, the first welding portions24, and the second welding portions 31. The shielding pipe 14 is in astate in which the two semi-cylindrical members 16A and 16B made of ametal material are joined together, and the cylindrical and long pipemain body 15 is constituted as a result of the two semi-cylindricalmembers 16A and 16B being joined together. Portions (a plurality ofportions that are spaced away from each other in the axial direction) ofthe shielding pipe 14 (the pipe main body 15) in the axial direction areprovided with a plurality of bending-processing portions 21, 21A, and21B.

A plurality of electrical wires 11 are housed in the shielding pipe 14in a state in which the electrical wires 11 are substantially coaxiallyinserted into the shielding pipe 14. The first welding portions 24 areprovided only in partial regions (a plurality of portions) of theshielding pipe 14 that include at least the bending-processing portions21, 21A, and 21B in the axial direction. The second welding portions 31are provided in all regions of the shielding pipe 14 other than thefirst welding portions 24 in the axial direction. The twosemi-cylindrical members 16A and 16B are joined by the first weldingportions 24 and the second welding portions 31 in a liquid-tightly andmechanically integrated state and are kept joined.

According to the shielded conductive path 10 of Embodiment 1, becausethe two semi-cylindrical members 16A and 16B are liquid-tightly joinedby the first welding portions 24 and the second welding portions 31 overthe entire length thereof, water is prevented from entering theshielding pipe 14 from the joined portions of the two semi-cylindricalmembers 16A and 16B. Also, because the joining range of the secondwelding portion 31 in the radial direction is narrower than that of thefirst welding portion 24, the time required for welding can be reduced.Thus, it is possible to reduce the time needed for manufacturing theshielded conductive path 10 configured with the electrical wires 11housed in the pipe main body 15.

Also, the joining range of the first welding portion in the radialdirection and the joining range of the second welding portion 31 in theradial direction includes the outer circumferential surfaces of thesemi-cylindrical members 16A and 16B. Thus, in the first weldingportions 24 and the second welding portions 31, no gap having a grooveshape appears at the seam on outer peripheries of the twosemi-cylindrical members 16A and 16B. Thus, there is no risk that waterwill remain in the outer peripheries of the two semi-cylindrical members16A and 16B (the shielding pipe 14). Also, the joining range of thefirst welding portion 24 in the radial direction is the entire regionextending from the outer peripheries to the inner peripheries of thesemi-cylindrical members 16A and 16B, and thus the maximum bondingstrength in the first welding portion 24 is ensured.

Also, in the bending process, the bending jig 29 is slid against theouter periphery of the pre-processing linear region 28, which willbecome the bending-processing portions 21, 21A, and 21B through bendingprocessing, in a pressed state from the base end side toward the leadingend side. Thus, if the pre-processing linear region 28 is joined by thesecond welding portion 31, there is a concern that, on the leading endside with respect to the bending-processing portions 21, 21A, and 21B,the second welding portion 31 will break, the two semi-cylindricalmembers 16A and 16B will positionally shift relative to each other inthe axial direction, and cracks will occur in the semi-cylindricalmembers 16A and 16B.

In view of this point, in Embodiment 1, the leading end side linearportion 23 that is continuous with the leading end side of thepre-processing linear region 28 is joined by the first welding portion24 having higher bonding strength than that of the second weldingportion 31. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the twosemi-cylindrical members 16A and 16B from positionally shifting relativeto each other in the axial direction and to prevent cracks fromoccurring in the semi-cylindrical members 16A and 16B, on the leadingend side with respect to the bending-processing portions 21, 21A, and21B.

Also, the process for forming the bending-processing portions 21, 21A,and 21B is performed in a state in which the base end side with respectto the pre-processing linear region 28 (the base end side linear portion22) is not fixed. Thus, if the base end side linear portion 22 is joinedby the second welding portion 31, there is a concern that the secondwelding portion 31 will break and the two semi-cylindrical members 16Aand 16B will separate from each other in the radial direction on thebase end side with respect to the bending-processing portions 21, 21A,and 21B (the base end side linear portion 22) in the process in whichthe bending jig 29 is slid against the pre-processing linear region 28from the base end side to the leading end side. However, because thebase end side linear portion 22 is joined by the first welding portion24 having higher bonding strength than that of the second weldingportion 31, it is possible to prevent the two semi-cylindrical members16A and 16B from separating from each other in the radial direction onthe base end side with respect to the bending-processing portions 21,21A, and 21B.

Also, the first welding portions 24 each include the bending portionwelding region 25 where the bending-processing portions 21, 21A, and 21Bare joined, the leading end side welding region 27 where the leading endside linear portion 23 is joined, and the base end side welding region26 where the base end side linear portion 22 is joined, and the lengthof the leading end side welding region 27 is set larger than that of thebase end side welding region 26. The technical significance of thisconfiguration will be described below.

While the bending jig 29 that slides against the pre-processing linearregion 28, which is to be the bending-processing portion 21, 21A, or21B, in a pressed state moves from the base end to the leading end ofthe pre-processing linear region 28, a force that makes the twosemi-cylindrical members 16A and 16B displace relative to each other inthe axial direction, and a force that forms cracks in thesemi-cylindrical members 16A and 16B are constantly applied to theleading end side welding region 27. Thus, providing the leading end sidewelding region 27 long in the axial direction makes it possible toeffectively prevent cracking and relative displacement of thesemi-cylindrical members 16A and 16B in the axial direction.

Similarly, in the process for forming the bending-processing portions21, 21A, and 21B, a force applied from the bending jig 29 that is slidagainst the pre-processing linear region 28 in a pressed state to thebase end side welding region 26 decreases as the bending jig 29 movesaway from the base end (the base end side welding region 26) of thepre-processing linear region 28. Thus, even if the length of the baseend side welding region 26 in the axial direction is reduced, it ispossible to effectively prevent separation of the two semi-cylindricalmembers 16A and 16B in the radial direction. The above-describedconfiguration makes it possible to keep the length of the base end sidewelding region 26 to the shortest necessary length, and thus to moreeffectively reduce the time needed for manufacturing the shieldedconductive path 10.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment described abovewith use of the foregoing description and drawings, and embodiments suchas the following are also encompassed in the technical scope of thepresent disclosure.

(1) Although the joining range of the first welding portion in theradial direction includes the outer circumferential surfaces of thesemi-cylindrical members in the above-described embodiment, the joiningrange of the first welding portion in the radial direction may beregions of the semi-cylindrical members located on an innercircumferential side with respect to the outer circumferential surfacesthereof.

(2) Although the joining range of the first welding portion in theradial direction is the entire region extending from the outerperipheries of the semi-cylindrical members to the inner peripheriesthereof in the above-described embodiment, the joining range of thefirst welding portion in the radial direction may only be portions ofthe semi-cylindrical members between the outer peripheries and the innerperipheries thereof.

(3) Although the joining range of the second welding portion in theradial direction includes the outer circumferential surfaces of thesemi-cylindrical members in the above-described embodiment, the joiningrange of the second welding portion in the radial direction may beregions of the semi-cylindrical members located on an innercircumferential side with respect to the outer circumferential surfacethereof.

(4) Although the joining range of the first welding portion in theradial direction is constant over the entire length of the first weldingportion in the above-described embodiment, a configuration may beadopted in which the joining range of the first welding portion in theradial direction gradually increases or decreases along the lengthdirection of the first welding portion, or increases and decreases inthe length direction of the first welding portion.

(5) Although the joining range of the second welding portion in theradial direction is constant over the entire length of the secondwelding portion in the above-described embodiment, a configuration maybe adopted in which the joining range of the second welding portion inthe radial direction gradually increases or decreases along the lengthdirection of the second welding portion, or increases and decreases inthe length direction of the second welding portion.

(6) Although the leading end side linear portion located on the leadingend side with respect to the bending-processing portion is joined by thefirst welding portion in the above-described embodiment, the leading endside linear portion may be joined by the second welding portion.

(7) Although the base end side linear portions located on the base endside with respect to the bending-processing portions are joined by thefirst welding portion in the above-described embodiment, the base endside linear portion may be joined by the second welding portion.

(8) Although the bending portion welding region provided in thebending-processing portion of the shielding pipe (the pipe main body)and the leading end side welding region provided on the leading end sidewith respect to the bending-processing portion are directly connected toeach other in the above-described embodiment, the bending portionwelding region and the leading end side welding region may be providedseparately from each other (in a positional relationship in which thebending portion welding region and the leading end side welding regionare separated from each other in the axial direction).

(9) Although the bending portion welding region provided in thebending-processing portion of the shielding pipe (the pipe main body)and the base end side welding region provided on the base end side withrespect to the bending-processing portion are directly connected to eachother in the above-described embodiment, the bending portion weldingregion and the base end side welding region may be provided separatelyfrom each other (in a positional relationship in which the bendingportion welding region and the base end side welding region areseparated from each other in the axial direction).

(10) Although the length of the leading end side welding region is setlarger than that of the base end side welding region in theabove-described embodiment, the length of the leading end side weldingregion may be the same as the length of the base end side weldingregion, or may be smaller than that of the base end side welding region.

(11) Although the conductors of the electrical wires are constitutedonly by twisted wires over the entire length thereof in theabove-described embodiment, a configuration may be adopted in which aconductor of a portion of an electrical wire that is inserted into theshielding pipe is constituted by a single core wire, and a conductor ofa portion of the electrical wire that is routed outside the shieldingpipe is constituted by a twisted wire.

1. A shielded conductive path, comprising: a cylindrical shielding pipethat is in a state in which two semi-cylindrical members made of a metalmaterial are joined together, and that is provided with a bend at aportion located in an axial direction; an electrical wire housed in theshielding pipe; a first weld that is provided only in a partial regionof the shielding pipe that includes at least the bend in the axialdirection, the first weld liquid-tightly joining the twosemi-cylindrical members; and a second weld that is provided in allregions of the shielding pipe other than the first weld in the axialdirection, the second weld liquid-tightly joining the twosemi-cylindrical members, wherein a joining range of the second weld ina radial direction is narrower than a joining range of the first weld inthe radial direction.
 2. The shielded conductive path according to claim1, wherein the joining range of at least one of the first weld and thesecond weld in the radial direction includes outer circumferentialsurfaces of the semi-cylindrical members.
 3. The shielded conductivepath according to claim 1, wherein a leading end side linear portion ofthe shielding pipe that is adjacent to a leading end side of the bend inthe axial direction is joined by the first weld.
 4. The shieldedconductive path according to claim 1, wherein a base end side linearportion of the shielding pipe that is adjacent to a base end side of thebend in the axial direction is joined by the first weld.
 5. The shieldedconductive path according to claim 4, wherein the first weld includes abending portion welding region where the bend is joined, a leading endside welding region where the leading end side linear portion is joined,and a base end side welding region where the base end side linearportion is joined, and the length of the leading end side welding regionis set larger than that of the base end side welding region.
 6. Ashielding pipe, comprising: two semi-cylindrical members made of a metalmaterial; a cylindrical pipe main body that is in a state in which thetwo semi-cylindrical members are joined together, whose inner portionserves as an electrical wire housing space for housing an electricalwire, and that is provided with a bend at a portion located in an axialdirection, a first weld that is provided only in a partial region of thepipe main body that includes at least the bend in the axial direction,the first weld liquid-tightly joining the two semi-cylindrical members;and a second weld that is provided in all regions of the pipe main bodyother than the first weld in the axial direction, the second weldliquid-tightly joining the two semi-cylindrical members, wherein ajoining range of the second weld in a radial direction is narrower thana joining range of the first weld in the radial direction.